Outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa scolded both candidates earlier in the week for not talking enough about education. And Greuel quickly picked up that theme by challenging Garcetti to a one-on-one education forum at a school… with 2-hours notice. Garcetti’s campaign declined and called it a “political stunt,” and said it already had plans for a news conference with former primary candidates who had endorsed him.

We also tried to answer this question: did the optics of an empty podium across from a mayoral challenger hurt Garcetti? Or did it make Greuel look desparate?

There’s also this fact: United Teachers Los Angeles has endorsed Garcetti. The same teachers’ union that overwhelmingly gave Superintendent John Deasy a no confidence vote. Both mayoral candidates signed a petition supporting Deasy. Garcetti doing so late in the game, and just a few moments before debate time.

And now I’m curious. Does the fact that Garcetti has UTLA support diminish his ability to criticize Greuel for her union endorsements (SEIU, IBEW)?